Making A Stand

Hello chaps, I hope this finds you well and a little bit warmer than frosty yesterday!

Today the time has come, I am making a stand!  Facebook has become a menace to Blogland with all the immediate and instant gratification, along with the one click Like without the need to make an effort to leave a comment.  However, many of us have been forced into using it as a way to get our work seen and, like it or loathe it, it seems to be the place to be.  However, Facebook has done untold damage to Bloggers and this is where I make my stand.

I used to post here, and add a link with a photo to Facebook.  In my naive little world, I had thought that this might bring more traffic to my blog but, in the one-click world, it has had the opposite effect.  So, from now on:

• I shall be seriously reducing my Facebook time 
• I shall only post a link back to the blog post for that day with a partial photograph
• Yes, I shall probably continue to post Rosie updates if anyone is interested enough but otherwise they will be here, on my blog

How many hours do I waste trawling through posts about who had what for dinner and where they have been shopping?  Is it really funny to have the F and C words used so much?  What does that really add to anything?

One voice in millions won't change the way Facebook works, but if more of you are brave enough to take the same stand, we might make Blogger the thriving community it once was, without all the dross.

Anyone out there prepared to join me to try and make 2016 a Blog Year?

When I was rummaging for stamps last week, I found poor old neglected Henry and thought it was about time that he came out to play again.

This is Skating Henry from Whiff of Joy (retired I think)

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers)

Papers are from a pad of BoBunny that is at least a couple of years old

Sentiment die from Clearly Besotted

Starry Night Edger from Joanna Sheen Signature Dies

Hugs to all, and solidarity to Bloggers!

Squirrel xx

2 Cards = 7 Challenges!

Happy Saturday everyone!  Ooooh, this has to be my most favourite day of the week.....work is over for a couple of days......I can chill and relax......no going to bed tonight worrying about Monday morning.....some decent easy-viewing on tv tonight......and it's Squirrel Stew for dinner!  What more could a small furry mammal want, apart from a little bit of crafting......so that's what I've been doing!

My first card for you started off with one challenge in mind, and then I went on a blog wander, and found a few more that I think it would fit nicely, so if you are sitting comfortably.....

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Buffet (choose 4 items from 6 to use) (papers, 3 flowers, 3 gems, metal charm)

Our Creative Corner - Let's Play Dress Up (a simple sketch to fiddle with)

Oldie But A Goodie - Bright And Cheerful (PB stamp Butterfly Wishes)

My Partner In Crafting Crime - Something New (papers and big, fat pearls)

Stamp Something - Anything Goes

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - With Love

I've used Penny Black's Butterfly Wishes stamp, watercolour painted with distress inks (it was a bit of a challenge to make him look rounded - I've still got more of a tum than he has!), the papers are from my latest purchase of Papermania Capsule Collections - these are Blueberry and Boysenberry, and for once, all the papers in each collection work together really well, Sizzlets photo corners die, EK Success retro flower punch, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, those huge fat pearls are new to my stash but the tiny ones have been with me a while, can't tell you who made the sentiment - I got it from Lakeland when they still did craft stuff in their shops, and the metal charm paw print was from stash too.

Before I go on to my second card, I've done something stupid........I signed up for the Crafty Blogs rankings.  Considering I started the week at 923, I am thrilled to see that I'm slowly crawling my way up but.... I'm getting obsessed with it!  I know I'll never reach the top, but I'd be dead chuffed with being in the 100s, so come on over and visit me as much as you can, pleeeeeeeeeeeease!

Right, serious stuff, here is my second card and this is for

Dutch Dare Card Challenge - All Stiched Up

Poor Henry (Whiff of Joy), this is the third time he's been used - and all three times have been for knee replacement operations for friends!  This one is for our dear friend Ken, from church, who goes in on Monday.  He's been waiting for ages for the op and I think it is going to make such a difference to his life.  Papers are from a masculine collection by Dovecraft that I've had a while but still think that they are fabulous - isn't it a shame when really good collections vanish?  Orange and brown cardstock is Papermania.  I've painted Henry with distress inks (fast becoming my favourite method, as if you'd not guessed - and yes, I know, I still owe you a tutorial - when the weather improves I promise I'll do it), Martha Stewart border punch to add some interest, Martha Stewart button punch and hole punch for the frilly bits.  I went around the image with my pokey tool again and a Marvy le Plume pen to create the faux stitching, loving this technique just know (and it's all Helen's fault - she'll have me distressing next!).

Sorry that I'm rambled on so much, hope you are still awake - if you are, there is a technical question I'd like to ask you clever bloggers - anyone know how to make the panel (the bit with all the posts on) of my blog wider?

Anyhoo, now off to link to all those challenges, hope to see you later.

Hugs, Sxx

Move Over Mr MaGoo!

Over at the LILI OF THE VALLEY challenge this week there is a fabbie sketch from Dena that was so much fun to play with

I really wanted to use these cute little winter bunnies - they have been crying out to me ever since I bought them so this seemed like the ideal opportunity.  I rotated the sketch and then flipped it so that the sentiment came in the right place.

However ........ it wasn't until I was adding the final border that I realised the whole thing is on the squint!  I've been having trouble with my focal range for a while - yes, I know, I am overdue for an eye test - and I spend more time doing close-up work without my glasses than I do with them on.  But it was when I sat back from it that I thought "Oh ****".  Hey ho, guess that is one of the quirks of a handcrafted card!

The papers are old ones from a Papermania Vintage collection.  They have been sadly neglected but I don't know why as the majority of them are gorgeous with deep, rich colours.  Image is coloured with Distress Inks and I've stamped the LOTV sentiment with Paris Dusk Memento ink to try and match the background blue.

My other card today is just a fun one that I have made for the girls in my favourite coffee shop - what else could I use but Whiff of Joy's Henry?!

Again, coloured with Distress Inks.  Pink paper was from a pad free with a magazine, the blue glittered is Papermania.  Sentiment is LOTV and the border a is Martha Stewart punch.

Thanks for popping in for a visit.  I've now got to be a good girl and actually sit down and write some cards instead of sneaking off to make them!

Hugs, Sxx

Sketch & Stash # 50 (DT)

Another Monday nearer to Christmas - less than three weeks to go now (eeeeek - headless chicken impression) but this should cheer you up - it's SKETCH & STASH CHALLENGE day!

Thanks to all of you who took part in Challenge 49 - wasn't that a brilliant sketch from Sue?  As you have been good, she has done another one for you!

Now, you might be thinking this is a simple sketch - well, let me tell you, it was a tricky little devil, so there is still some serious challenge going on!

We are thrilled to be sponsored by the wonderful Simon Says Stamp so surely you're tempted now?

So, that's the business end of it done, so here's the bit to make you laugh, yep, my card:

As you can see, I've swapped the tag over to the right side but that was because Whiff of Joy's Henry was skating the wrong way, silly mouse!  Henry is coloured with Distress Inks.  Sticky ribbon for trim with glitter gems as I can't tie bows even with a bowmaker.  Good job I'm not entering the challenge as I'd be booted out in disgrace LOL!  Henry is my new stash (actually he is my second Henry, I manage to lose the first one, sigh).  Papers are Dovecraft (I think - so old they've lost their ID card).  Peel-off twinkling lettering, gems and cardstock from stash.  Martha Stewart snowflake punch is last years but the Basic Grey brad is new.

Looking forward to seeing all your wonderful entries.  Wouldn't it be nice to win a Simon Says Stamp voucher in time for that crafting Christmas present to yourself?!

Hugs, Squirrel xx

A Couple For Fun

No challenge cards today as I've been busy with my DT cards and had my nose stuck in a good book at lot of the time!  Has anyone else read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo?  I loved it and have gone straight on to the second in the series, The Girl Who Played With Fire.  Can't put it down and was reading until the wee small hours this morning - no wonder I feel a bit limp today!

Anyhoo, a couple of quick but sweet birthday cards to share with you this afternoon -

I've used Willow Shopping from Whiff of Joy for this one.  I have paper pieced her shopping bags (they are just crying out for that to be done) and the rest of her is Copics.  I wish I could remember where the papers are from but they were just loose sheets in my "pile".  Sentiment is Craftwork Cards.

And a Lili Of The Valley Busy Bear, full of style and sophistication!  Isn't she so cute?  Again coloured with Copics.  Papers are Dovecraft and Papermania, with sentiment being Craftwork Cards

Hope you are all having great weekends, whatever you are up to.
Hugs
Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss Challenge # 42 - A Sketch

It feels like flippin' months since I sat down and made a card, but it's really only just over two weeks.  Thank goodness for some normality lol!

So, here we are again - time for a new challenge from TOTALLY GORJUSS, and as it is the first Saturday of the month our leader, Net, has created one of her sketches for us to play with.

Now, what I had in my head for this was simply stunning.  I really must learn how to get thoughts onto paper.  Anyway, here is my DT for this week

I love these City Girls from Whiff of Joy don't you?  Coloured with Copics and a dash of Glossy Accents on her glasses.  Papers are all from a DCWV Black & White collection that I'm not brave enough to use very often.  Woodware medium daisy punch and Pebbles Inc Candy Dots for the flowers.  Black card is DCWV Neutral Stack and red card from stash.

Hope you all have a super weekend lined up and that the school holidays aren't sending you daft already.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Samantha's Wedding Card

As many of you know, Samantha of Penrith Crafts Blog, got married yesterday to Efisio.  I was so thrilled to receive an invitation to the wedding as Samantha and I have been crafting buddies and good friends ever since we "met" way back when on the DoCrafts Forum.  I hope to have some wedding pics for you when I get back but in the meantime here is my wedding card

Front

Tilda and Edwin from the Magnolia Wedding Collection coloured with Copics and ProMarkers, papers are PaperCellar Wedding Collection, flowers are Wild Orchid Crafts and sentiment is Whiff of Joy.

Inside 1

Magnolia Rose Arch and Whiff of Joy Sentiment, again Copics and ProMarkers with Sakura glitterglaze pen.

Inside 2

And the rose arch again with the married couple.

And the whole Z shaped card

At the time of scheduling this post I have absolutely no idea what Samantha's reaction will be but I hope she likes it!

Editing to enter into this week's ABC CHALLENGE - Z for Zig-Zag Cards.

Sketch & Stash 33 + Sketch Saturday 100

Hello all, hope you are having a good weekend.  We had wall to wall sunshine yesterday and it was glorious, not too hot but beautifully bright, but today has been overcast and grey with a couple of April showers so far.

Two sketch inspired cards for you today - the first is for Sketch & Stash Challenge 33 which is a challenge I haven't done for a while because I've just not had enough time to fit it all in!

And here is my card.  Background paper is from stash and I've overstamped it with a Hero Arts cling stamp with VersaFine Deep Lagoon for all those lovely spots.  Pink/lilac checked and striped paper and turquiose card stock also from stash (feeling virtuous here) and the Whiff of Joy stamp of Willow with her mug of something yummy .... well, I've had it a while so technically that's stash too!  Woodware punches for flowers are old friends.

And then it is on to Sketch Saturday Challenge who are celebrating 100 challenges this week, that is some achievement!

It's Willow again, living it up on the dancefloor this time.  Got a bit retro with this one, has a definite late 60s/early 70s feel.  Papers a mix of Basic Grey and from stash.

Both images coloured with a mix of ProMarkers and Copics.

Thanks for dropping by me to see me this afternoon.  Don't forget, my blogoversary candy ends at midnight on 30th April so if you haven't put your name down yet, now is your chance.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Just For The Fun Of It

Happy Sunday all!  Two cards for you, no challenges, just for the fun of it

Whiff of Joy Willow, Copics, Forever Friends and Dovecraft papers, Martha Stewart border punch, Craftwork Cards sentiment and

Honey Bee Tilda, ProMarkers, Doodlebug papers, Sizzix leaves, Woodware punch flowers, Craftwork Cards sentiment

Edited: Thanks Mina for letting me know about this week's challenge from Just Magnolia - I shall link Tilda there now.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Stamp Something - Pink Somethings

Me again, third post today if you count my Totally Gorjuss DT card.  Please scroll down to see the others.

Got back from the Oldies sooner than expected this afternoon so have had time for a little play with Stamp Somethings Pink Somethings!

I adore this range of Whiff of Joy stamps featuring Charlotte - one of these days I intend to make a gift set of notelets with her - but for the meantime she is coloured using Copics, papers are Daisy & Dandelion and shapes cut with Nestabilities.

Thanks for dropping by - hope you have as much sunshine as we do (for the moment) and that your Easter weekend is a fab one.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss meets Sketch Saturday

It's Saturday and the sun is shining! Wheeeee! Hope you are getting some warmth were you are too.

Only the one card for you today as we've been out most of the morning and there is a rather interesting rugby match on later that I would particularly like to watch and I want to get dinner prepped before the match kicks off.  There could be blood on the carpet as Toad and I will be supporting opposing teams (thought he was going to explode last night because I cheered when Wales scored a try against France, but they were heavily down at the time so it seemed the sporting thing to do!).

Anyhoo, staying with my green theme of the moment, one card for two challenges
Totally Gorjuss It's For You Mum; and
Sketch Saturday Week 92

I wasn't too sure about this sketch until I started working with it and then I sort of fell in love with it a little bit.  I shall certainly use it again another time.

I've used Whiff of Joy Willow Shopping, what a darlin' she is, and coloured he with Copics and ProMarkers.  I have paper-pieced her shopping bags to tie in with the DPs, which are a selection of Basic Grey, Papercellar and Daisy & Dandelion.  Sentiment is Personal Impressions and green gems and greed cardstock are from stash.  Willow is such a babe - so here's a close up ....

Not in a million years would I see my beloved mother going out shopping like this, but I think she does in her dreams.  Love you mum.

Hugs, Squirrel xx

Totally Gorjuss "Feel The Lurve" and one for fun

Morning all, how are you today?  I dill tarn't breed droo by doze!  In a way it's my own fault - I've been cold free for about four years so this one has really taken hold.  Talk about snuffles!  Still, never mind, worse things happen at sea as they say.  

Managed to lose Toad's Valentine card that I made for him (the one with the fabulous High Hopes "Snuggle Lions" that I made a couple of weeks ago).  I'd put it somewhere safe.  Very safe.  So safe I couldn't find it.  Had a bit of a tizz and a cry and had just written him a substitute when I found it, safe and well, nestling in my stamp box cupboard where I'd put it to keep it nice and flat.  Hey ho!

So enough of my nonsense, to the cards ...... the ever fabulous Totally Gorjuss are "feeling the lurve" this week.  It doesn't have to be Valentine, just a love theme.  I had made this card for a very dear friend for whom I have a lot of affection so I hope that counts.

 

I've kept it simple because I think the Whiff of Joy City Girl "Willow Dressing Up" is just such a stunning image and I didn't want to lose her amongst too many embellishments.  She's coloured with Copics, a very limited palette of skin tones plus Egg Shell, Raw Silk and Tea Rose for her dress and I used ProMarkers for her hair.  Martha Stewart punch for the border, paper and pearls from stash, sentiment is Pink Gem.  Here's a close up (but only because I am, for once, really chuffed with the colouring)

And my other card is for my darlin' daddy - I had already made him a card but I'm having second thoughts about it so I did this one as well.  I'll decide on the day which one he gets!

The image is a Lili Of The Valley, coloured with ProMarkers.  Papers are Dovecraft, cardstock is DCWV and Bazzil, peel-off sentiment, corners and borders from stash.  Image cut out using a Nestabilities Pinking Circle.

Off to have another little play now so I may be back later.  Hope you are having a happy Sunday.

Hugs

Squirrel xx